
Class FS3S55 

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COPYRIGHT DEPOSnV 




'Twas at an old familiar Home 
Whose sacred dead are dear to me'* 



[2] 



Copyright, 1910 
By LUCIEN V. RULE 



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Printing and Binding by 

The Hollenbeck Press 

Indianapolis 



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CONTENTS 

PAGE 

To Mother 7 

The House of Love 9 

The Call of Love 17 

The Victory of Love . 23 

Love and Toil 33 

They Twain .39 

The Vale of Tears 45 

The Temple and the Tomb 53 

The House of Love Forever 59 



[5] 



M 



TO MOTHER 

EN ask me. Mother, why I do not write 

More of my multitudinous songs to thee, 

A silent minstrel by Love's boundless sea; 

A mortal lost in Love's immortal light, 

I stand, whose tongue nor pen would dare indite 

In hollow-sounding words a theme divine. 

Yet thou art more than angel. Mother mine; 

A human Comforter who day and night 

Makes Home a Heaven and Love the gate thereto. 

A heart whose unrecorded service hath 

Its due reward; a soul so sweet and true, 

That deeds unnumbered, like a shining path. 

Remain to mark the way thy footsteps trod; 

And myriads following after Und Love's God. 

Dear Mother-Heart that humanized mine own. 
And m^de my dream of Peace profoundly true! 
Dear Mother-Soul whose tender counsel drew 
Me back to Love from Doubt's dark desert lone; 
In long companionship yet younger grown. 
Thou sharest still Love's sweet romance with me! 
Thy smile can calm Life's stormy Galilee, 
And solace bring to mortal Misery's moan. 
Thine eyes now mirror Love's Millennial Day, 
And show me Truth that never will betray. 
Through thee I found Eternal Goodness fair, 
And saw the Beauty brooding everywhere. 
From thee I learned to serve my fellow-man. 
And shaped with Love Life's purpose, hope and plan! 

[7] 



THE HOUSE OF LOVE 




"Those tender eyes unclouded seem 
As May-time skies so blue above; 
But like some calm, secluded stream, 
They mirror deep the brooding dove.'* 



[10] 



w 



THE HOUSE OF LOVE 

ITHIN this House of Love that day by day 

Our hearts are building, let no stone be placed 

That is not on some human service based. 

Round its large windows let Hope's sunbeams play 

To drive Unfaith and Fear afar away. 

Let all its ample rooms of Memory 

Be filled with kindly words and deeds that we 

Have said and done to widen Love's glad sway. 

Let us not coldly dwell therein alone. 

Like purpled potentates upon a throne, 

But to Love's proudest portal welcome all, 

From prince to peasant. Then its every hall 

Will ring with wholesome laughter and delight, 

And Love's white Star will ne'er recede from sight ! 



[II] 



T 



THE HILLS OF HOME 

HE hills of Home are round me rising- 

As round Jerusalem 
Of old ; and filled with sweet surmising, 

I have returned to them. 

Farewell, O dark, deceiving city ! 

Farewell, O crowded streets ! 
Dear God, upon the poor take pity, 

Who know not Nature's sweets ! 

Here let me stroll along the river 

In quietude and peace, 
Communing with the gracious Giver 

Of Hfe and love's release. 

With animals and birds and breezes 

I'll pitch my happy tent. 
And let my heart do as it pleases. 

Without the world's dissent. 

From every scene that sore distresses ; 

From brain-toil's bloody sweat, 
I've come to revel in caresses 

Of flowers, and to forget. 

I'll list the neighbor's cheery prattle 

Beneath the cottage roof. 
And from the din of life's fierce battle 

Will hold awhile aloof, 

[12] 



Till Nature, nurse of all, restores me 

To wholesomeness of heart. 
And mind, and soul with wine she pours me 

From springs of peace apart ! 



O 



THE GOOD SHEPHERD 

HEART of mine, let Love Divine 

Alone thy Shepherd be; 
The House of Hate is desolate 

And dark beyond degree! 

Love's House doth lead through sunny mead 
And forest sweet with flowers. 

Where cooling streams and soothing dreams 
Make glad the gliding hours. 

But Hatred's way doth lead astray 

From Home and Heaven afar. 
Where demons dwell in nether hell, 

And gleams no Bethlehem Star ! 



[13] 



T 



AN AUTUMN IDYL 



IS twenty years since I, a lad, 

Beheld a happy bridal pair 
Pass in the spring when fields were glad 

And lark songs filled the sunlit air. 

A goodly man, a comely maid 
The lovers were that lovely day ; 

Facing their future unafraid. 

When Life was in its blooming May. 

'Twas at an old, familiar Home 
Whose sacred dead are dear to me ; 

Whose spirits now in yonder dome 
Of God live on eternally. 

So it was meet that fair Romance 
Should sanctify the scene anew ; 

That Love should tell, with tender glance, 
Life's olden tale, still sweet and true. 

II 

'Tis autumn o'er the same dear scene 
Love's footsteps hallowed long ago. 

Far-lying fields have lost their green. 
And weird the changing woodlands glow. 



[14] 



The spirit of the vanished spring 

Seems hovering yet o'er vale and hill ; 

Too sadly sweet to soar and sing, 
But more mature and winsome still. 

Thus Youth and Love unfold in thee 
Anew, dear Heart, with all the grace 

Of Womanhood's sweet mystery ; 
The soulful charm of form and face. 

Those tender eyes unclouded seem 
As May-time skies so blue above ; 

But like some calm, secluded stream, 
They mirror deep the brooding dove. 

Companionship unlocks at length 
The priceless treasures of thy heart ; 

The test and struggle, truth and strength 
Of Pain's long vigil kept apart. 

How brief, alas, may Beauty be ! 

Like some remembered autumn day ; 
Yet Love-anointed eyes can see 

A glory still when locks are gray. 

When tempting lips grow pinched and pale 
When features fade that once were fair ; 

Love clings more fondly to the frail. 
With soft caress for every care. 

Ill 

By sweat and toil we strive to live, 
And Life is but a make-believe ; 

But Love's great glory is to give ; 
Yea, greater far than to receive. 

[15] 



God's Kingdom means Man's Freedom come 
His right to think and do and be ; 

No more submissive, meek and dumb ; 
Warped and depraved by Poverty. 

Love's servants in the House of Life, 
We mean to make the whole world One ; 

To end its servile toil and strife, 
And change each slave into a son. 

From fellowship of force and fear 

To fellowship of Love we rise ; 
Behold it in each mother's tear ; 

Go read it in each maiden's eyes ! 

Dear Soul, the grace and gift are thine 
To love and serve with heart and hand ; 

Comrade in work with the Divine, 

The Friend of friends who understand. 

And in the Home that thou wilt make 
With one most worthy such a bride. 

May springs of Love forever slake 
Life's famished souls that turn aside ! 



[i6] 



THE CALL OF LOVE 




'May Grace and Truth, like trees that long have stood 
Time's test and tempest, crown thee with all good!" 



[i8 



F 



THE CALL OF LOVE 

IVE years have flown since Love's companionship 
Into my Hfe with wondrous sweetness came. 
I have not followed Fortune far, nor Fame ; 
The syrens twain with luring voice and lip. 
Nay ; nor hath Beauty caused my feet to slip, 
Though oft I've felt her purifying flame. 
Some old romances may occasion shame ; 
Fond Fancy's cup that tempted me to sip, 
But left a bitter taste upon the tongue. 
Some songs, alas, had best remained unsung , 
Some dreams, indeed, were nearer false than true. 
But trembling in those eyes of tender blue. 
Like Morning's Star in yonder golden dome, 
Love's promise lies of Happiness and Home ! 

I dare not tell thee now how truly dear 
Thy fair young presence to me hath become. 
If Love were voiceless, then my soul were dumb. 
Can larks keep silence when the Spring is near, 
Or brooks be holden when her call they hear ? 
Thou, too, hast felt the wintry touch of grief ; 
Life's thankless toil and brutal unbelief ; 
And waitest perfect Love to cast out fear. 
Though binding not his white, ethereal wings. 
Let him accustomed grow to lowly things. 
His Kingdom long hath been the heavens o'erhead, 
While earth was filled with wolfish strife for bread. 
But maid of mine, incarnate now in thee. 
Love dwells with men, forever fair and free ! 

[19] 



T 



I 



WOMANHOOD 

O the fair threshold of sweet Womanhood, 

Dear Heart, to-day thy happy steps have come. 

Daughter of Love in Youth's Elysium, 

May Grace and Truth, like trees that long have stood 

Time's test and tempest, crown thee with all good. 

November fields are birdless, drear and dumb ; 

Yet Joy and Song find thee their source and sum. 

Like a deep spring within the shadowy wood 

Refreshing far and near the famished flowers, 

Thy native kindness overflows to all. 

And fills with life and cheer Toil's weary hours. 

No homely task hath ever seemed too small 

For thee to do, and lo, Love's golden gate 

Swings wide with welcome while glad angels wait ! 



HER PHOTOGRAPH 

T lies upon my desk — her photograph ; 
And every morning when I rise from rest, 
Her beauty meets me and the world is blest. 
She Hfts Life's brimming cup and bids me quafif 
Love's pure delight ; and now in her behalf 
My heart beats true to Home on land or sea. 
In God's great out-of-doors she walks with me. 
Glad larks sing of her, and the brooks that laugh 
Along their happy way proclaim her praise. 
Sweet skies smile down upon her and behold 
Their heavenly mildness in her kindly eyes. 
Soft breezes come to greet her and enfold 
Her in their arms with gently murmured sighs. 
While sunset hills their altars to her raise ! 

[20] 



A 



LOVE AND POVERTY 

H, not for me the bliss of mortal bride, 
And blooming sons and daughters at my knee ! 
My flesh is fettered that my soul, set free, 
To Love Divine may ever be allied. 
And breast for Truth tempestuous storm and tide. 
Yet oft I hunger for a human kiss — 
The love of man and maiden ; but to this 
Love answers, "In my bosom still abide!" 
Yea, in due season may my soul conceive 
And bear me children of the mind and heart, 
The lasting legacy of song and art ; 
The awful burden of the word divine — 
World-love our sad world-sorrow to relieve. 
Then, Sweet, I'll sing: "Gk)d's mother-love is mine!' 

I would to God that I might call thee mine ; 

That fame and gold were in my hand to give ; 

Then would I for thee always, only, live ! 

Then would I build a home where bliss benign 

And tender love should be forever thine. 

But oh, what have I, Sweet, to offer thee 

Except the paltry rags of poverty ? 

Enough that I must drink the bitter brine 

Of this world's woe ; must bear the silent scorn 

Accorded every ardent son of song 

Who sides with Truth against the ancient wrong ; 

Who lifts the weak down-trampled by the strong; 

Who feeds the hungry, findeth the forlorn,— 

Brother to Him who was at Bethlehem born ! 

[21] 



THE VICTORY OF LOVE 




'Like a deep spring within the shadowy wood, 
Refreshing far and near the famished flowers, 
Thy native kindness overflows to all." 



[24] 



w 



A 



PEACE 

HEN I awake at dawning's break 
My thoughts take wing to thee 

Like warblers sweet that rise to greet 
The sunlight glad and free. 

When with the rills I skirt the hills 

And meet the odorous air, 
Its kisses seem the soothing stream 

Of thy soft blowing hair. 

The changeful day is like the play 

Of fancies o'er thy face ; 
But in thy breast there is a nest, 

Love's own abiding place. 

Thy soft caress can calm distress. 
Thy smile can heal the heart ; 

My weary brain forgets life's strain 
When I am where thou art ! 



HAPPINESS 

HOUSE of Love amid the hills. 
With music of the birds at morn, 

And nightly serenade of rills. 

Would lull to rest my soul forlorn. 

A figure fair and feminine, 

With golden hair and dovelike eyes, 
And low, sweet voice that answered mine. 

Ah, this were Heaven beneath the skies ! 

[25] 



w 



IN APRIL 

HEN shall I learn you love me ? 

Ah, Dearest, shall I know 
When April skies above me 

Bring heaven to earth below ? 

When wooing birds are singing 
Through all the balmy air, 

And happy fields are springing 
To verdure everywhere? 

When crystal rills are breaking 

Forth into melody, 
And woodlands deep are waking 

To join Spring's jubilee? 

When orchard boughs are bending 
With beauty far and wide, 

And odors sweet ascending 
Make all the land Love's bride ? 

When sunny days grow longer 
With laughter and delight. 

And life seems sweeter, stronger 
Each golden dawn and night ? 

Now God Himself is near us 
In every smiling flower, 

And sends the larks to cheer us 
Each music-laden hour. 

[261 



Yea, every tender feeling 
Is kindled in my breast, 

And bids me now be kneeling 
While love is full confessed. 

In all the virgin sweetness 
Of sky and stream and bird, 

Oh, mark the season's meetness, 
And murmur Love's one word ! 

When pulsing hopes are purest 
And gain their gladdest goal ; 

When shining stars are surest. 
Love's twain become one soul ! 



[27 



o 



THE VICTORY OF LOVE 

LOVE, I have left all and followed thee 

Through trial and tears, through good report and ill. 

Submissive to thy wise, o'er-ruling will 

In everything, I have not bowed the knee 

To Mammon's idol ; but have fought to free 

My fellow-men from Evil ; and though lost 

The battle sometimes seemed, at every cost 

I still sustained it. Yea, and blessed be 

Thy holy name, I have not lived for naught. 

A wondrous change thy tender touch hath wrought 

Within my soul, transforming every thought 

Till darksome doubt and self no more deceive. 

And now I know that if we but believe, 

There is no victory Love may not achieve. 

The sorrows of my Hfe have fled, and I 

Am happy. The whole world is fresh and fair. 

A radiant gladness fills the morning air. 

And a more heavenly blue adorns the sky. 

No longer do I sit alone and sigh ; 

For hope and rapture supersede despair. 

The smile of Love hath made Doubt's desert bare 

To blossom as the rose ; and, passing by, 

A spring-like Presence gave me gracious sight. 

A nobler strength is granted with each day, 

And a profounder peace pervades the night. 

Self hath surrendered. I have found the way 

Unto the House of Love whose portals sweet 

Bid genial welcome to my pilgrim feet ! 

[28] 



I 



LOVE AND FRIENDSHIP 

N Friendship's fond and genial Galilee 

We've wandered day by day where'er we would, 

Without a thought but doing others good. 

Among Life's hills and by her sunny sea 

We've taught Love's Kingdom that will surely be 

When souls, like ours, shall beautify and bless 

This world of sickness, sorrow and distress. 

Love's little children climb upon our knee 

And find the Father in our smiling face. 

While mothers marvel at our words of grace. 

We've wept and prayed beneath Doubt's midnight dome. 

Till now I sigh for some dear Bethany Home, 

Waiting with welcome, warm, sincere and sweet, 

Ready to soothe me, sitting at Love's feet ! 

I want thee. Sweet, forever at my side ; 

I can no longer labor now alone. 

Since Friendship hath to Love enduring grown. 

Be thou my comfort evermore and bride ! 

The secret of my heart I cannot hide ; 

It is betrayed in every look and tone ; 

And thou, a woman, hast already known. 

Yea, Love and Friendship are so close allied 

We scarce discern betwixt the happy pair. 

Thus, Dearest, we, accustomed long to share 

Our every thought, have melted into one. 

I need thee in the work that must be done 

To bring Love's Goodly Kingdom everywhere — 

Whose glory, like our love, is but begun. 

[29] 



s 



TWO MOTHERS 

WEET Mother with the glory of gray hair 
That crowns thee, still thou hast the heart of Youth. 
Thy dear dark eyes with tenderness and truth 
Are radiant yet, and so thy face is fair. 
Yea, though thy brow be furrowed o'er with care, 
How gentle still thine olden-time caress ! 
Come, Mother, with thy loving favor bless 
The mating of a pledged and happy pair ; 
The one my heart hath chosen, so like thee 
In faith, devotion and fidelity. 
Star of my soul to guide when thou art gone ; 
My Comforter when Death shall have withdrawn 
Thee to the House of Everlasting Love ; 
Making our Home below like that above ! 

Sweet Mother of My Own, thou, too, art mine ! 
A Queen of Womanhood whose realm is Home. 
Dear Soul, illumined like the noonday dome 
With Truth's clear sunlight, surely Love Divine 
Had sovereign reason for each trial of thine. 
Since through great tribulation thou hast come, 
Thou canst compassionate Earth's bruised and dumb. 
And to despairing Hps bring Hope's pure wine. 
Maternal tenderness for all the Race 
Moistens thine eyes and glorifies thy face. 
Refined, unselfish through the fretful strife, 
Thou hast stood nobly for the Larger Life. 
O Heroine of Toil with heart of gold, 
No garland now will Love from thee withhold ! 

[30] 



T 



HOMEWARD 

IME'S chilling frosts have slain Youth's early flowers, 

And turned the leaves to scarlet, brown and gold. 

Yet once again Love's romance sweetly told, 

Like Indian Summer, gladdens all the hours. 

The mocking-bird still sings 'mid autumn bowers. 

While flock and herd at nightfall seek the fold. 

Thus, Dearest, from a world so wintry cold 

My heart comes home to thee with ripened powers. 

Love's beacon star and gleaming cottage light 

Guide Labor's steps unerring in the night. 

Let maiden bloom and manhood now mature 

Companion in a mating nobly pure ; 

A nuptial pair whose glorious truth and grace 

Mean growth and gain for all the human race. 

O Sweet, how Love hath glorified thy form. 
From thy dear face and softly flowing hair, 
Down to thy feet so serviceful and fair. 
How grateful is thy bosom's welcome warm 
Unto my head and heart in time of storm. 
O gracious presence, leave me nevermore ; 
But ever to my soul glad spring restore ! 
Love's spirit permeates each precious charm 
That God hath given. Dearest, as I gaze 
In worship on thee and thus hymn thy praise. 
Yea, 'tis thy tenderness that makes me strong 
And adds compassion's note to every song. 
O Sweet, thou answerest every need of mine — 
So human still, though seeming most divine ! 

[31] 



LOVE AND TOIL 




'From o'er Life's wide and pathless watery plain 
Unto the House of Love like ships we come. 
Rejoice together, then go forth again.*' 



[34] 



c 



LOVE AND TOIL 

OME, let us build the House of Love o'erhead, 
And work wherever in the House of Life 
The Father wills, to end this mortal strife — 
Man's brute-like battle to be clothed and fed, 
His soul, alas, to bliss and beauty dead. 
We've solved the riddle of world want and woe ; 
Hatred exalted and sweet Love laid low ! 
Privation's wine-press that wage toilers tread 
In bondage is familiar to our feet. 
Whether in rural haunt or crowded street. 
Yet such the treasures of exhaustless Love, 
We'll bring to earth the bright abodes above. 
Kindling a warmth in bosoms cold as stone, 
Giving God's balm for agony and groan. 

Reared with the lowly class that toil for bread. 
The downmost men, we'll make their cause our own 
'Gainst sceptered Privilege upon the throne. 
Earth's mourning millions must be comforted. 
The burden-bearers that have lost and bled. 
The great unnumbered God alone could name, 
Foredoomed to die in slums and haunts of shame. 
While godless kings (the fatherless unfed), 
Consume the substance of the fruitless soil, 
Begorged and swinish o'er the widow's toil, — 
Stupid impediments in Freedom's path, 
Sowing the whirlwind of Almighty Wrath, 
Wretches that e'en in Judgment will not care, 
Though long our Lord and Master may forbear ! 

[35] 



I 



THE GARLAND OF LOVE 

COULD not love thee, Dearest, as I do 
If thou didst dwell in princely palace halls. 
Where chilling pride the noblest soul enthralls. 
And pleasure's empty paths alone pursue. 
Nay, I thank God thou art too sweet and true 
To sigh for these. Beneath the lowly roof 
Love comes, but from the lofty holds aloof. 
The beauty of thine eyes, so deeply blue. 
Excels the splendor of the proud and great. 
Yea, and the glory of thy golden hair 
Surrounds thee with a wealth more wondrous rare 
Than Solomon's in all his royal state. 
For Love hath placed his garland on thy brow, 
And Song with kindred honors shall endow. 



T 



THE BUILDERS OF LOVE 

HE House of Love we build is in the heart. 

And will endure when wealth has passed away. 

'Tis not the dream or work of just one day. 

Nor fashioned by the cunning hand of art. 

The kindly words and deeds that are a part 

Of this eternal structure, through the years 

Were put in place, and oft with bitter tears. 

Its treasured store came not from Mammon's mart ; 

Nor doth dear Love allow us sordid ease. 

Nay, 'twas by prayer and fasting that we found 

Material for the mansion that is ours ; 

And oft by sailing sorrow's stormy seas. 

But now, what peace and rapture there abound ; 

What feasts of fairyland ; what fadeless flowers ! 

[36] 



T 



THE GLORY OF LOVE 

HIS native kindliness that lives in thee 

Is Love Divine, dear heart. Yea, it is God. 

My feet that steadily were wont to plod 

Life's pathway, now leap forward glad and free, 

Because the blessing of thy smile on me 

Like spring hath fallen, and devotion's flowers 

Are flourishing, while birds amid the bowers 

Make music all day long so merrily, 

That well I know they likewise are inspired 

By the Love Spirit of the Universe. 

The world to-day seems like a bride attired 

In robes of glory ; for thou dost disperse 

The shadows of despair like Morn's sweet voice, 

Which calls to hill and vale : "Rejoice ! Rejoice !' 

Synonymous with music and with spring. 
With bursting blossoms and with mating birds, 
Thou seemest, and the worship of my words 
Bespeaks a spirit that will ever sing 
Thy precious praise on star-aspiring wing. 
The freshness of the morning is thy face, 
And all its genial glory but thy grace. 
These glad, succeeding, sunny days that fling 
Their arms of Life and Light about Old Earth, 
Until she teems with Beauty's wondrous birth. 
Are but the wooings of Love's tenderness ; 
His warm embraces that uplift and bless 
These lonely souls of ours, devoid of worth 
Till wakened by Creation's sweet caress. 

[37] 



THEY TWAIN 




'Sweet Autumn has returned, and in its sway 

I see Her image — soothing to the heart, 

Yet filled with thoughts that cause the tears to start. 



[40 



T 



THEY TWAIN 

HOUGH I were Truth Eternal and could stand 

Triumphant till the stars should fade away, 

I would be human still and long to lay 

My head on Woman's breast ; to feel her hand 

Smooth back my troubled brow. God is not grand 

Until we know his great Maternal Heart, 

Of Majesty and Might the counterpart. 

Wisdom Divine and Holy Justice planned 

The Universe ; but Everlasting Love 

Sustains the Whole, from the blue vault above 

To the profoundest reaches of the seas. 

Sublimer than all Law is Love Divine, 

That dwelleth, Dearest, in thy heart and mine, 

And bids the noblest self bend reverent knees. 

Though thou art high and holy, yet I dare 

To claim thee. Yea, upon thy precious breast 

I now will lay my weary head to rest. 

I feel the glory of thy golden hair 

About me softly fall, while every care 

Takes wing and leaves my soul supremely blest. 

How often have I longed to be caressed 

By thy dear hands ; how oft in silent prayer 

Petitioned Love to let thy heavenly lips 

Bend down with dewy sweetness to mine own, 

Athirst from desert wanderings sad and lone ! 

Thy tender smile with faith and hope equips 

Me for Life's conflict, and to deeds divine 

Moves every manly faculty of mine ! 

[41] 



I 



THE EQUALITY OF LOVE 

DID not bind thee with Love's solemn oath, 

Soul of my soul, to slave for me alone ; 

Encircling thee within the narrow zone 

Of my small self, lest thou ere long- shouldst loathe 

The links that thralled thee, and forswear the troth 

We pledged in faith that Love would never fail. 

Nay ; though we twain are one, we do not wail 

The gift of Love which is Life's gain and growth. 

Love's blissful sky that bends above is ours, 

And the glad world below with all Life's flowers. 

I will prove worthy and thou wilt prove true, 

And summer birds will sing where'er we be. 

Yea ; though I wronged thee, thou wouldst still renew 

Thy tenderness as mercy unto me ! 

I would not be thy lord and master ; No ! 

For he who loves indeed delights to serve ; 

While he whose only care is to preserve 

His selfish sovereignty, alas, below 

The brute hath fallen, and dealt Love a blow. 

That which he seeks to hold eludes his hand. 

And leaves him starving in Love's plenteous land. 

Let not thy love forever toward me flow. 

But sometimes in deep tenderness deny 

My soul's desire, that I may love thee more. 

Let not thy heavenly kisses on my lips 

Without cessation passionately pour. 

God wisely veils the stars within the sky, 

And even o'er Love's sun oft sends eclipse ! 

[42] 



o 



THE DEVOTION OF LOVE 

SWEET, the soul of Love's eternal tie 

Is mutual tenderness and constant truth, 

By which Love keeps his pure, perennial youth. 

If hearts were cold and false, then would we fly 

To find relief beneath an alien sky ; 

And all the power of our plighted troth 

Would but bring worse despair upon us both, 

And for Love's early gladness make us sigh. 

Such servitude would drive away all rest. 

And bring a bitter burden to the breast ; 

Would curse the hand that formerly caressed, 

And chill the thoughts that once were warm and true ; 

Would fill with darkness all Life's sunny blue ; 

A desert waste where once were dawn and dew ! 

Yet think not, Dearest, that this tender trust 

Will in a little season waste away ; 

That Love's clear lute, which sounds its gladsome lay, 

Will soon be idly trampled in the dust. 

Tis not we merely promised and now must ; 

For faith when founded on unfeeling words 

Soon leaves us like a flock of fickle birds. 

Devoted Love will share its last poor crust 

And cruse with lips no longer filled with song; 

Through very sacrifice will grow more strong, 

And keep the lover pleading at thy feet ; 

By self-denial made more truly sweet ; 

Though having liberty, will hold it loss ; 

Yea ; even will forgive on Calvary's Cross. 

[43] 



s 



FORGIVING LOVE 

O many faults and failings have I, Sv^eet ; 
For I am human still and not divine. 
Then should I ever wrong this love of thine, 
Be merciful and at thy blessed feet 
ril bow, thy glad, forgiving smile to greet. 
Deal gently with me when I seem most stern ; 
And, oh, when I am harsh and heedless, learn 
To bear with patience my impetuous heat ! 
Teach me thy tenderness, for Love's deep trust 
Bids us be kind to all as well as just. 
Teach me thy lofty faith, for Love requires 
Calm confidence as well as fervent fires. 
Teach me thy pure simplicity of heart. 
And Love ere long will make me as thou art. 

O Sweet, each trial of trust calls forth the tears ; 
For shadows oft o'ercast Life's blue above. 
And make us doubt if we do really love ! 
But day by day some kindly deed endears 
Thee more and more, and in the coming years 
Will gleam and guide me like the Star of Dawn, 
Toward Love's Immortal Morning leading on. 
While darkness from Hope's summit disappears. 
Like one who sits beside a murmuring stream 
Until its mellow music makes him seem 
Oblivious of life's sorrows, found I thee; 
And thy deep tenderness shall like the tide 
Of a full flowing river wax more wide 
Until it bears me to Love's boundless sea. 

[44] 



THE VALE OF TEARS 




'Thus my Lost Darling went, and the wild blast 
Of Winter stripped the once delightful bowers, 
And silent left the songful Summer hours." 



[46] 



w 



LOVE HUMAN AND DIVINE 

HY does a look of sadness dim our eyes 

Amid the coming of Love's golden dawn ? 

When Hope's White Star that proudly led us on 

Pales in the splendor of Life's fuller skies, 

Why spring these deep, unutterable sighs 

And longings that so strangely thrill the breast? 

When like the robins settled in their nest 

At nightfall we would feel ; or would arise 

On lark-like wings to meet the shining sun, 

Ah, why this pathos mingled with our bliss ; 

This pain, as though we parted, when upon 

The lips beloved we print pure rapture's kiss ? 

Oh, whence these thoughts, indeed, too deep for tears, 

Yet which the more to us our love endears ? 

Love is of God and leads to him again ; 
And, Dearest, when I take thy hand in mine 
And draw thee to myself, I full divine 
A feeling that uplifts us to the plane 
Celestial where Eternal Love doth reign. 
When toward thy tender eyes I turn mine own, 
I seem to see the glory of Love's throne. 
And perfect spiritual peace and power attain. 
When thy pure lips I worshipfully press. 
An angel benediction seems to bless 
Us both, responding to our mutual prayer. 
O Sweet, I could not hold thee half so fair. 
Nor love thee near so much, did not that love 
Find God in all the Universe above ! 

[47] 



T 



THE GLADNESS OF LOVE 

HE world was wearied of my notes of woe, 

And said my harp should find a happier theme. 

Then I despaired, when suddenly the gleam 

Of thy glad eyes, like morning's golden glow, 

Smiled on mine isolated life and lo. 

All Nature was divinely sweet again. 

What wonder that my soul resumed its strain, 

When thou, the source of music, bade it flow. 

Ah, was it strange that I should find release 

From pain at thy approach, Incarnate Peace ? 

Or was it marvellous that I should learn 

To worship Beauty when I saw thy face ; 

That I, who wandered once from place to place. 

Should toward the House of Love for shelter turn? 

We were not strangers ere we met. Ah, No! 

For when together we did first commune. 

It seemed the echo of some well-loved tune 

Returning tenderly from long ago. 

Remembrance seems to linger here below 

Of Fields Elysian whence our spirits came 

To tabernacle in this human frame. 

Yea, yonder stars that nightly gleam and glow 

Seem bright abiding places where the soul 

Rejoices while eternal ages roll. 

Oh, let us hold a faith that shall outlast 

Earth's fitful fates and strengthen with the years ; 

Till full triumphant over trials and tears. 

The portals of Eternal Love are passed ! 

[48] 



I 



THE GLOOM OF LOVE 

SCAN the fadeless starry fields of li^ht, 

And would my restless heart were calm as they ; 

That my despondent soul could feel the sway 

Of their eternal majesty and might. 

Then would I shrink not when the chilling blight 

Of Doubt drives back the tender hopes of Love. 

What though I hear no more the vernal dove 

Of thy dear voice when days were heavenly bright ; 

I feel the sweet rebuke of thy soft eyes 

Fall on me and reprove despair's deep sighs. 

Yet it was hard thy silence to endure 

When joy and song have kept my faith so pure ; 

When every wakening thought takes wing to thee, 

And Morn and Eve Love's Temple are to me. 

Ah, 'tis not in the dazzling, sunlit day 
Of Love that we his meaning truly find ; 
Because our eyes with selfish bliss are blind, 
And speechless worship only we can pay. 
But when, alas, Love wings afar away 
Beyond the summits, and our eyes are wet 
With tears of fruitless longing and regret ; 
Then we behold on high the trembling ray 
Of his eternal, heart-consoling Star. 
Absence is anguish, but its lessons are 
The sweetest that in all our lives we learn. 
Sad separation hath a rich return, 
If we but wait with hope ; and every pain 
A recompense at last in rapture's strain. 

[49] 



A 



K 



THE VALE OF TEARS 

LITTLE while we walk together, Sweet, 

Beneath Life's overbending skies of blue; 

Then cometh Sorrow, while Joy fades from view. 

Yea, Dearest, we must teach our happy feet, 

Which toward Hope's shining summits fared so fleet, 

To tread the Vale of Tears without complaint. 

Aye, we must follow on, nor fall nor faint 

Along Love's road, however harsh the heat. 

Then kiss me, Darling, as thou didst of old. 

When bliss for both our hearts had but begun. 

Amid the dewy fields when yonder sun 

Was mild and kindly, smiting not as now 

With sweat of agony the weary brow. 

While fled forever is Love's dawn of gold ! 



THE PANG OF PARTING 

ISS me once more, and on thy gentle breast 
A single moment longer let me lay 
My weary head. Then will I try to say, 
Alas, to say farewell ! Love knoweth best. 
Forgive me. Darling, that I am distressed ! 
What lover in the whole wide world would not. 
Though pain and parting are the common lot ? 
Farewell, dear hands whose touch has long caressed 
My cares away ! Farewell, fond eyes of blue 
Whose Constance cannot die while God is true ! 
Farewell, sweet lips ! Though parched with heat and dust, 
Ye would smile on with Love's devoted trust ! 
Farewell, and in the House of Love on high, 
If aught befall, I'll meet thee, bye and bye ! 

[50] 



F 



L 



THE JOURNEY OF LOVE 

AREWELL, My Own, a while, farewell to thee ! 

Our happy spirits have companioned here 

Within this House of Love till thou art dear 

As Love himself — light of the world to me ! 

Life's fateful future none can full foresee ; 

And hearts shrink back at what may be in store. 

Yet since dear Love doth guide us evermore, 

Let Love from every fear now set us free. 

From o'er Life's wide and pathless watery plain 

Unto the House of Love like ships we come. 

Rejoice together, then go forth again. 

The lips of song and laughter now are dumb, 

And bitter tears gush forth ; yet still I say. 

Love's shielding wings spread o'er our winding way. 



THE SOLACE OF LOVE 

OVE is unchanging, and my loyal heart, 
Made in thy image, loves thee evermore. 
Small matter, then, what Life may have in store. 
Though Death should smite us while we are apart, 
There is a House of Love whereto Death's dart 
But makes the way more beautifully clear ! 
The Universal Soul still holds us dear ; 
And I am with thee wheresoe'er thou art, 
Sweet absent, but abiding, maid of mine ! 
God's tender stars smile down from realms divine 
With heavenly benedictions on thy head. 
Though Earth be filled with wolfish strife for bread. 
Thy love in absence is my anodyne. 
Driving afar the shades of doubt and dread ! 

[51] 



THE TEMPLE AND THE TOMB 




"While Winter, white and cold. 
Chills all the ways where Love's sweet tale was told* 



[54] 



o 



THE TEMPLE AND THE TOMB 

HOUSE of Love, the Temple and the Tomb 

Wherein I worshiped, then put Hope away 

Forever from my heart in sunny May ! 

I wept beside Love's bier in Memory's room, 

God's world all glory but my soul all gloom. 

Yea, Love before me mute and lifeless lay. 

O Grief ! O Grave ! What more can mortal say ? 

She was my Destiny. She was my Doom. 

Love's springlike Presence and Love's deep Despair ; 

A Flower so sweet, yet oh, so frail and fair ! 

The chill of Death is in the summer air, 

While I, Love's exile, mourn my lost estate. 

Heart of mine, lamenting now thy mate, 
There is no solace but to work and wait ! 

Sweet Autumn has returned, and in its sway 

1 see Her image, soothing to the heart. 

Yet filled with thoughts that cause the tears to start. 
Though crowned with glory is each golden day, 
It hints of rapture that has passed away. 
Serene with hope is each ascending dawn. 
Yet sad with memory of glad seasons gone. 
In these fair fields I could forever stray. 
But, ah, I know their splendor will not last. 
Thus, my Lost Darling went and the wild blast 
Of winter stripped the once delightful bowers, 
And silent left the songful summer hours. 
Yea, Love is dead ; but there remains for me 
The Love triumphant o'er mortality. 

[55] 



o 



THE GRIEF OF LOVE 

SWEET, I was left mateless just when I 

In Love's glad Maytime learned to sing and soar. 

The music of thy voice is mine no more. 

My dear Delight, my Darling, thou didst fly 

Like summer birds to find a sunnier sky. 

And left me here forlorn amidst the roar 

Of wintry winds when golden days were o'er ! 

What is heart worship but an endless sigh ; 

An echo uttered to the empty air, 

Whose answer is the silence of despair? 

What are Hope's glories but a fleeting show. 

Which, like the autumn splendors, quickly go ; 

A curse which, like the breeze that once caressed, 

Soon changes and destroys Love's little nest ! 

Bear with me, Dearest, and I may regain 

My gladness through remembrance of thy smile. 

Sweet recollection in the after-while 

May prove a balm to present loss and pain. 

Yea, tender thoughts oi thee may soothe my brain, 

And ease my heart, like Mother's gentle kiss. 

Thou ne'er wilt know how much I mourn and miss 

Thee from my life ; but now I will refrain. 

Familiar though I am with all Love's woe. 

So that a word will cause the tears to flow, 

Thy gracious Presence often doth renew 

Lost echoes of delight within my breast ; 

And Love's dark ocean, with its wild unrest. 

Grows like thine eyes, so sunny, mild and blue. 

[56] 



I 



THE MEMORY OF LOVE 

SOMETIMES wonder if these golden days 
Remind her spirit of our long-lost bliss. 
I sometimes wonder if the dewy kiss 
Of these October mornings, and the haze 
Which, like an angel robe, invests the ways 
Our feet were wont to wander, wake again 
Within her soul Love's interrupted strain. 
O God ! To stand upon these hills and gaze 
On all the scenes her presence made so sweet, 
And then remember how Hope met defeat 
In blooming May, is even yet Despair ! 
There is no answer in the autumn air 
When unto her I call ; not one soft thrill 
In Nature to assure she loves me still. 

Yet are ye welcome, autumn days, serene 

And soothing as no others of the year. 

When memory of all remorse is clear, 

The spirit can be calm as ye and wean 

Itself from sorrow. Each majestic scene 

That ye unroll is able to restore 

Hope to the lonely human heart once more, 

And teach it truly what your beauties mean. 

In silence and great glory ye begin 

Your gorgeous reign, yet seem ye ushered in 

With music deep. Spring's rapture to renew. 

There is a harmony in every hue 

On earth below and in the heavens above 

That thrills me with a more than mortal love. 

[57] 



o 



o 



THE HOPE OF LOVE 

HEART of mine, within the tomb interred 
Is thy dear Hope, while Winter, white and cold, 
Chills all the ways where Love's sweet tale was told. 
Yet, though the soul be sick with faith deferred, 
The sap of Spring at last is deeply stirred ; 
And, fragrant few, the woodland flowers unfold. 
The meadow-lark once more, with breast of gold. 
Makes glad the morn with Love's awakening Word. 
O Balm upon the changing breeze's breath, 
Life now prevails o'er dark Decay and Death ; 
And Hope leaps high that my long silent mate 
Will yet restore me to Love's lost estate ; 
Will turn this thralldom into Maytime bloom, 
And in my soul Love's sovereign throne resume ! 



FOR THY DEAR SAKE 

LOVE, now lost a while, for thy dear sake 

My work for God and Man shall still be done. 

With confidence I face the morning sun. 

And to Life's busy field myself betake. 

Where Labor heals the wounds that bleed and ache. 

The mantle of thy spirit still upon 

Me doubly rests. Yea, still for every one 

I strive and serve, and thus eternal make 

Our House of Love whence thy sweet soul took wing. 

I will be happy still with rapturous spring. 

And let thy summer warmth my toil mature. 

Thine autumn calm shall keep my purpose pure. 

And to unselfish effort fruitage bring. 

So doth thy Kingdom on the earth endure. 

[58] 



THE HOUSE OF LOVE FOREVER 




'The world is nearing now its hour of rest.' 



[60 



o 



THE LAND MILLENNIAL 

SWEET, bewitching eyes that smiled in mine 
'Neath tender maidenhood's untroubled brow, 
Not buoyant hope but sober memory now 
Ye waken in my heart ! Love's dawn divine, 
Alas, hath vanished, and Life's sparkling wine 
Was taken from my famished lips away. 
But dreams come back of meadow-lands in May 
When Heaven and Earth in warm embrace benign 
Gave promise of a future glorious fair. 
The boughs above will songless be and bare 
When age and change from face and figure steal 
The girlish charm that made thy lover kneel. 
Yet, Dearest, this adieu of heart and hand 
But leads me on to Love's Millennial Land ! 

Before Love comes the burdens that we bear 
Seem grievous ; but our Galilean Guest 
Doth fill the work-day world with peace and rest. 
Yea, when he comes, our mortal lot to share, 
There is a nobler Beauty everywhere. 
He sets anew the task of Truth we slight. 
From Labor's clouded brain he drives the blight 
With dream and song of Freedom fresh and fair. 
He makes the comradeship of Toil sublime. 
And feeds the gnawing hunger of the heart. 
He seeks the Human in the slum and slime, 
And builds his Kingdom 'mid the cunning mart. 
He shows the reason of our wolfish strife, 
And leads us on to Fellowship and Life. 

[6i] 



THE HOUSE OF LOVE FOREVER 



T 



HE House of Love we build could not be done 

Till I had learned to love thee evermore. 

Its roof shall be God's blue above, where soar 

The blissful larks ; its light the glorious sun. 

Its deep foundation shall be laid upon 

A trust eternal as the ancient hills, 

Yet guileless as the leaping forest rills. 

While sorrow lingered it was but begun ; 

We could not see its splendor for our tears — 

Unable to forecast the coming years 

When sorrow shall be changed to joy and peace. 

Love's sore surrenders yield a rich increase 

Of tenderness, and all our mournful loss 

Will make thee dearer still — my Crown, my Cross ! 

Though Death's dark billows beat around thy bark, 
And not a gleam of light shone in the sky 
Of thy dear life ; though to the piteous cry 
Of thy expiring spirit there were none to hark ; 
On Memory's waste there would remain one mark 
To guide thee onward in the storm and stress. 
Safe to the House of Love, where thou wouldst bless 
The Morn Immortal with the wakening lark — 
The Love of God from which no awful fate 
In heaven or hell can ever separate ; 
The Love of God beyond belief of man ; 
Unspeakable in depth and power and plan ; 
The Love of God which shall endure for aye, 
When shining sun and stars shall fade away ! 

[62] 



T 



THE MORN IMMORTAL 

HE world is nearlng now its hour of rest ; 
And soon Love's starry watchers will be seen 
In yonder dome. The long and dull routine 
Of Labor ends, and snugly in their nest 
The robins settle. On her gracious breast 
Dear Mother Nature calms me. Sorrow now 
Disturbs no more, for, O my Darling, thou 
Dost make our House of Love below more blest ! 
Thou didst an ever-present solace prove, 
Though still I mourned thee like a widowed dove. 
Less homeless now the Universe so vast, 
Which filled my soul with terror in the past. 
The Great Unknown must brighter be than here, 
For thou dost face it, Sweet, without a fear ! 

The sorrow of the world will pass away ; 
The winter of its woe prove happy spring ; 
And realms that sit in sack-cloth rise and sing. 
The Sword of War shall then no longer slay, 
While little children with the serpent play. 
Our vision shall behold New Heaven and Earth, 
Where mourning maketh room for smiling mirth. 
When Truth shall come to reign for aye and aye, 
Jerusalem with all of Love's redeemed 
Shall dwell with men, as seer and sage have dreamed. 
Oh, then shall rise the Sun of Righteousness, 
Whose beams remotest bounds of being bless ! 
Yea, unto Love let mortal tongue and pen 
Give glory now and evermore, Amen ! 

[63] 



One colpy del. to Cat. Div. 
OCT 31 1910 



LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 



018 391 686 5 



